No rest for wounded Jets

By
PATRICK FAHY

Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs and Nowra-Bomaderry Jets play their catch-up game this Sunday.

WHILE the rest of Group 7 will enjoy a break from football this weekend, there is no such luck for the Nowra-Bomaderry Jets, who are preparing for their clash with Milton-Ulladulla.

BACK ON BOARD: Nowra-Bomaderry Jets centre Nathan Falzon is expected to make his return for their catch up match with Milton-Ulladulla on Sunday. Photo: PATRICK FAHY

The two sides will go head to head and Mollymook Oval on Sunday, finally catching up on their schedule match from round one that was washed away by bad weather.

Team morale is high within the Jets camp after they picked up their first win of the season with a 30-18 defeat of Port Kembla, but their coach Ben Wellington feels they could have done with a week off.

“There’s a few niggling injuries going around with Steve Brandon carrying an ankle injury, Geoff Johnson’s ribs are still not 100 per cent and my knee is playing up,” Wellington said.

“A week off would have given us a bit of time for injuries to heal, so I sort of wish we were having it off,” he added with a laugh.

While the season is still in relatively early stages, Wellington said it was vital for them to get their first win when they played Port Kembla.

“All the boys really needed a morale boost, so I’d say it was crucial that we got the win.

“We needed to show that we can win and now that we’ve got the first one out of the way, I’m hoping we can carry a bit of momentum.”

There were a few nervous moments for the Jets when they trailed 12-10 at half-time against Port Kembla, but Wellington said they came back with a lot of courage to dominate the second half.

“It was a little bit shaky when we were behind, but I was always confident the tables would turn.

“As soon as I saw the first couple of sets in the second half, I knew we could come home.”

Wellington named Mat Rouen, Mark Brandon, Ryan James, Nathan Deaves and Zac Kershaw as their best players and said the leadership shown by Geoff Johnson since his return from injury has made a massive difference.

“Geoff is one of those guys where, even if he’s not fully fit, it’s just good to have him in the side,” Wellington said.

“The way he directs the play completes the team and it’s really good to have him back,” he added.

Now that they have the first one out of the way, Wellington is hoping they can string a few more wins together, starting with the Bulldogs on Sunday.

“The competition is pretty close, so every win is so important.

“It can be a bit of a bone yard down there and they’re an unpredictable side, but we went down there and had a good win last season.

“Even though it was last year, I think it’s a bit of mental thing that you always remember who won the last time you played.

“It gives you a bit more belief, so I’m hoping we can go down there and do it again.”

The Jets will be without Arthur Scott for the Bulldogs game, after he picked up a compound fracture in his hand, but Nathan Falzon is expected to return to take his place.

There are a few other little injury clouds, but otherwise, they are expected to be all full strength.